Ashraf Thuneri
A bright green star in the center of the dark red. The flag of victory that started flying in Qatar has thrilled the African continents and the Arab world. December 10, 2022 was a night that made new history in the FIFA World Cup. The sight of Cristiano Ronaldo leaving the field at the Thumaama Stadium in Doha with his face covered, his head bowed and his eyes red was very sad. But on the other hand, a turbaned man was circling the stadium with his head held high. Yusuf Alnasiri. Morocco’s number nineteen player. This twenty-five-year-old, who has become the passion of club football in Spain, said that his head was the goal. And Cristiano, with his head that didn’t see a goal beyond and in the 5th World Cup.
Youssef’s goal and Yassine Bono’s goal netted the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar as the media bowed to the magic of African history as Morocco made it to the last four. Africa and the Arab world shower the Atlas lion cubs with praise. A sports network channel from Canada headlined the news; Moroccan magic, the goal that kissed the clouds…Morocco was flooded with such headlines and adjectives in the world media. The streets of Doha and Casablanca did not sleep. Most of the Moroccan players came from Casablanca.
Cars filled the streets. The stage was filled with dancing and singing. Flags were waved from the houses and cheers were chanted. Aljazeera’s Nicolas Huq reported yesterday that the wins against Portugal, Spain and Croatia still seem unbelievable to those from Casablanca. Men, women and children all participate in the celebration in Morocco. Nicholas also highlighted King Mohammed VI attending the celebrations wearing the national team jersey.
Abidjan to Riyadh
When the World Cup came to Qatar, it made history as the first World Cup in the Arab world. Now, a country from Africa enters the semi-finals for the first time and adds another piece of history. It is the first time in the 92-year history of the World Cup that an Arab or African country has reached the last four. From Abidjan in the Ivory Coast to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Africa and the Arab world were shaken by this historic victory, Reuters reported. African Union President Makisaal wrote on Twitter as follows; ‘History. Amazing. Well done Morocco, the Atlas Lions have reached the semi-finals of the World Cup.’ Leaders of Libya, Iraq, Palestine, Bahrain and the UAE also showered Morocco with congratulations. ‘Weldon morocco. Didier Drogba, the famous soccer star of Ivory Coast, responded. Vijayabheri is active all over Cameroon and Libya.
Gulf Arab countries rejoiced. Meanwhile, there are reports that people from the Arab world are going to different parts of Morocco to celebrate. A Morocco World News representative revealed that he was told yesterday that the families had decided to come to Morocco from Saudi Arabia and Qatar to experience this moment of joy among Moroccans themselves. He enthused that they are still dreaming and are just two wins away from winning the World Cup. Some see it as a symbolic victory for the Arab world. Speaking to Al Jazeera from Souq Waqif, Hussein, a Bahraini national, said he was proud of the result. An Arab team reaches the semi-finals when the World Cup is held in an Arab country. He explained that he was very happy. Those who took part in the celebration in Baghdad, Iraq, declared it their victory. They are of the opinion that Iraq has won the match.
Celebration at the Gaza Strip,
Palestinian Solidarity
The Moroccan victory also became a huge celebration in the Palestinian Gaza Strip. Thousands gathered in the largest sports hall on the coast to greet Morocco. The crowd chanted victory for all the Arab nations. The celebration was lively in and around Gaza with loud slogans, clapping and drumming.
After the victory against Spain, the Moroccan team-mates showed solidarity with the Palestinian flag on the ground in Qatar. Moreover, the song that was the most resounding of the victory chants joined the entire Palestinian struggle. Moroccan midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri posted the lyrics on Instagram alongside a picture of himself kneeling behind a Palestinian flag with the caption ‘For the people without a voice’. Some political observers see it as a symbolic strike against the administration’s efforts to normalize relations with Israel.
Opinion is strong that the government is making an unpopular decision among ordinary Moroccans. There is still strong opposition to the decision taken by some other countries in the region. About two months before Morocco grants diplomatic recognition to Israel in October 2020, the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies conducted a poll among the population, Middle East Eye reported. The results of the poll showed that 88 percent of Moroccans were against this decision. Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup brought Moroccans and Palestinians closer together as the government made more efforts to get closer to Israel. Meanwhile, Palestinian activist and journalist Muna Alkurd came to the match held yesterday with a Moroccan flag. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Moroccan fans chanted pro-Palestinian slogans and displayed Moroccan and Palestinian flags together outside the stadium.